Bruno Mars has this weird, almost supernatural ability to make being incredibly wealthy sound like a casual Friday afternoon. You’ve heard it. I’ve heard it. Your grandma has definitely hummed it while doing the dishes. When That’s What I Like lyrics first hit the airwaves in early 2017 as the second single from 24K Magic, people didn't just listen; they obsessed. It wasn't just a song. It was a lifestyle brochure set to a New Jack Swing beat that felt like a warm hug from a guy wearing a silk robe and $500 slippers.
It’s catchy. Infuriatingly so.
But why does a song about strawberry champagne and "lucky for you, that's what I like" have such staying power? If you look at the charts, it stayed in the Billboard Hot 100 top ten for what felt like an eternity—28 weeks to be exact. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the writing hits a very specific sweet spot between relatable yearning and absolute, unapologetic flex.
The Anatomy of a Flex: Breaking Down the That’s What I Like Lyrics
Let’s be real for a second. Most of us aren't flying private to Manhattan or "waking up in the kitchen" saying "how the hell did I get here?" (actually, maybe that last part is relatable after a rough Tuesday). The magic of the That’s What I Like lyrics is how they package high-end luxury as a gift for someone else. Bruno isn't just bragging about his jewelry or his condos in Puerto Rico. He’s offering them to you.
It’s the ultimate "treat yo self" anthem, but by proxy.
Take the opening lines. He’s talking about "gold jewelry shining so bright" and "strawberry champagne on ice." It’s tactile. You can almost taste the sugar and feel the cold glass. According to songwriters like Brody Brown and the production team The Stereotypes, who worked on the track, the goal was to capture that 90s R&B essence—think Bobby Brown or Jodeci—where the singer is the ultimate provider.
Why the "Cadillac" Reference Actually Matters
"Anything you want, just to put a smile on it / You deserve it, baby, you deserve it all."
That’s the hook. That’s the emotional glue.
The song mentions a "Cadillac, boy's a player," which is a direct nod to old-school cool. It’s not a Tesla. It’s not a Lamborghini. It’s a Cadillac. That choice roots the song in a specific lineage of American soul and funk. It tells the listener that while the wealth is modern, the vibe is timeless. If he’d mentioned a specific iPhone model or a fleeting TikTok trend, the song would’ve aged like milk. Instead, it feels like it could have been written in 1992 or 2026.
The Secret Sauce of the Pre-Chorus
Music theorists—and honestly, just anyone with ears—notice that the tension builds perfectly right before the chorus hits. When Bruno sings about the "condo in Manhattan" and the "beach house in Miami," the rhythm shifts. It gets faster, more insistent.
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He’s listing things off like a grocery list, but the groceries are international real estate.
- The Condo: Manhattan represents the hustle, the power.
- The Beach House: Miami represents the escape, the sex appeal.
- The Silk Sheets: This is the intimacy.
By the time he hits "Lucky for you, that's what I like," the listener is already sold on the fantasy. It’s a brilliant bit of psychological songwriting. He makes the listener feel like the cause of his extravagance. He isn't buying this stuff because he’s greedy; he’s buying it because you are worth it. It’s a flattering perspective that makes the audience feel like a million bucks, even if they’re currently listening to the song on a crowded bus.
Digging Into the Production (Because Lyrics Don't Live in a Vacuum)
You can't talk about the lyrics without the "bop." The Stereotypes—Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus, and Jonathan Yip—brought a specific crunch to the drums. They used a Roland TR-808, which is the heartbeat of hip-hop and R&B.
The lyrics are actually quite sparse if you look at them on paper. There isn't a lot of "poetry" in the traditional sense. There are no complex metaphors about the moon or crumbling stone walls. It’s direct. It’s "I like this, I want you to have this."
That simplicity is the hardest thing to write.
I’ve talked to plenty of amateur songwriters who try to overcomplicate things. They want to be Deep with a capital D. But Bruno Mars understands that pop music is about resonance. "Sex by the fire at night" isn't a complex lyric, but it’s a universal image. It’s effective. It works because the vocal delivery—those little "oohs" and the way he slides into the falsetto—carries more meaning than a thousand-word poem ever could.
The Cultural Impact and That Iconic Music Video
If you close your eyes and think of this song, you probably see the hand-drawn animations from the music video. That video was a masterclass in minimalism. Just Bruno, a grey background, and some doodles.
But those doodles acted as visual subtitles for the That’s What I Like lyrics.
When he sang about the Cadillac, a car appeared. When he talked about the "Julio, get the stretch" line (a carry-over from Uptown Funk lore), you felt the continuity of his persona. The video reinforced the lyrics so well that they became inseparable. It’s one of the reasons the song went 10x Platinum. It wasn't just a radio hit; it was a visual and lyrical brand.
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Addressing the "Cheesy" Factor
Is the song a little cheesy? Honestly, yeah.
"Shopping sprees in Paris" is a trope as old as time. But Bruno leans into the cheese so hard it becomes gourmet. There’s a wink and a nod throughout the whole performance. He knows he’s being extra. He knows that mentioning "lobster tail for dinner" is a bit much.
But that’s the point.
Pop music is often about escapism. In a world where people are stressed about rent and inflation, hearing a guy sing about "pop it and spill it" while he tosses money around is a three-minute vacation. It’s not meant to be a gritty documentary about the working class. It’s a cartoon of the high life.
Why it Won "Song of the Year" at the Grammys
In 2018, this track cleaned up. It won Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Performance. Critics at the time were a bit divided—some thought it was too "retro"—but the industry recognized the craft.
To write a song that is musically complex (the chord progressions are actually quite sophisticated, moving through $Ab$, $Bb$, and $Cm$ in ways that keep the ear interested) while keeping the lyrics simple enough for a five-year-old to memorize is the ultimate flex.
It’s the "Uptown Funk" formula refined. It stripped away the big brass band and replaced it with a lean, mean R&B machine.
How to Use These Lyrics in Your Life
Beyond just singing along in the shower, there’s actually a weirdly positive takeaway from the song’s philosophy. It’s about knowing what you like and being unapologetic about it.
We spend a lot of time pretending we don't want nice things or that we’re above "materialism." Bruno Mars says, "Nah, I like the shiny stuff." There’s a certain honesty in that.
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If you're looking to channel that energy:
- Identify your "Strawberry Champagne": What’s that one little luxury that makes you feel like you’ve made it? Maybe it’s not a condo in Manhattan. Maybe it’s just the good coffee or a fresh pair of socks. Claim it.
- The "You Deserve It" Mindset: The song is framed as a gift. Practice that kind of radical generosity—even if it's just with your time or your compliments.
- Embrace the Vibe: Next time you’re feeling low, put on the track and pay attention to the "cadence." The way the words "cool," "jewel," and "pool" rhyme is satisfying on a neurological level. Use it as a mood-shifter.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Meaning
A lot of people think the song is about a guy trying to "buy" a girl's love. I’d argue it’s the opposite.
If you listen closely to the bridge—"You say you're tired of all those empty promises"—you realize he’s responding to someone who has been let down before. The luxury isn't a bribe; it’s a contrast to the "empty promises" of her past. He’s saying, "I’m not just going to talk; I’m going to show you."
It’s about reliability, just dressed up in Versace.
The That’s What I Like lyrics serve as a reminder that sometimes, the best way to show someone you care is to pay attention to the details—whether that’s how they like their dinner or where they want to travel. It’s about the "I like" becoming "We like."
Practical Steps for Fans and Creators
If you're a musician or a writer looking at this song for inspiration, don't try to copy the "bling." Copy the structure.
Notice how the verses are percussive. He uses words like "fire," "bright," "ice," and "light." These are hard "i" sounds that cut through the music. If you’re writing your own content or music, think about the "mouthfeel" of your words. Do they snap? Or do they mumble?
For the casual fan, just keep enjoying the ride. Songs like this don't come around often—the kind that manage to be technically brilliant while remaining completely accessible. It’s been years since it dropped, and it still feels fresher than most of what’s coming out today.
Go ahead. Turn it up. Pour something on ice. You deserve it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your "Luxuries": Write down three small things that make you feel successful and make an effort to incorporate them into your routine this week.
- Study the 90s Influences: To truly appreciate the song, go back and listen to Don't Be Cruel by Bobby Brown or Forever My Lady by Jodeci. You'll hear exactly where Bruno got his lyrical DNA.
- Focus on Clarity: Whether you're writing an email or a song, try to express your "likes" as clearly as Bruno does. Eliminating ambiguity is the fastest way to get what you want.